Fluid Fahy plays YMCA for kicks

PUBLISHED: 12:59 01 March 2007 | UPDATED: 13:51 04 May 2010

Action from Ely's win over Ipswich - Pic: Helen Drake

Ely 27 Ipswich YMCA 21 ED FAHY S superb kicking performance inspired a depleted Ely to overcome tough opponents in a muddy quagmire. The Tigers took an early lead when a flowing backs move finished with Gavin Ross breaking the line and handing off to the

The Tigers took an early lead when a flowing backs' move finished with Gavin Ross breaking the line and handing off to the supporting Fahy, who touched down before converted his own try from out wide.

Ely played with a freedom that defied the conditions and after a driving maul was illegally stopped, five metres short of the line, Daniel Coulson scored from a quick penalty and Fahy converted to make it 14-0.

The hosts were running superbly and after a wonderful break, an Ipswich man fumbled an interception attempt while running towards his own line, and Fahy reacted quickly to dive on the ball and score, before converting again.

But awful covering from an Ipswich midfield scrum allowed the visitor's No. 8 to run unopposed and put a winger away to score.

Fahy kicked another penalty to give Ely a 24-5 lead at the break.

Ipswich kicked two quick penalties at the start of the second half to make it 24-11, but that man Fahy popped up again to kick another penalty.

An inspired Ely launched a long-range attack through several passes and stages of positive running. But the ball was turned over and after a quick counter, Ipswich stopped short of the Ely line. After three consecutive penalties Ipswich scored a try from 10 metres to make it 27-16.

Ely were rattled and after conceding two more penalties, Ipswich charged over the line to bring the scores to 27-21 to set up a tense final few minutes.